Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device which can be stored in a substantially flat manner and which can be easily assembled into a three dimensional display. Certain parts of the device are formed from molded plastic and have integral hinges which can be repeatedly flexed without weakening them.

United States Patent Bramble Oct. 24, 1972 [541 DISPLAY DEVICE 7 1,887,894 11/1932 Scwab "40/125 H Inventor: Ronald L. Bramble, Milwaukee 3,047,971 3 8/1962 Howard ..40/1OR Y FOREIGNPATENTS-OR'APPLlCATlONS [73] Assignee g 371,210 4/1932 Great Britain ..40/125 H [22] Filed: July 12, 1971 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-Wenceslao J. Contreras [211 App! 161639 Attorney-James E. Nilles [52] US. Cl. .;..40/125 H [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. ..G09f 1/00 A dis play device wh1ch can be stored in a substantially [58] Field of Search 125 262 flat manner and which can be easily assembled into a three dimensional display. Certain pans of the device are formed from molded plastic and have integral [56] References C'ted hinges which can be repeatedly flexed without UNITED STATES PATENTS weakening them- 1,426,983 8/1922 Guardino ..40/ 125 H 4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures DISPLAY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains generally to display devices having relatively movable sections which can be assembled into 'a flat package for shipping, and which can be assembled and locked together to form a three dimension display. Prior art display devices of this general character are shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,517,905 to Nestegard, which issued June 30, 1970 and entitled Sign Holder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a display device which can be stored as a substantially flat package and which then can be assembled into a three dimension display which is visible from its opposite sides. The device has two end sections which are formed from molded plastic and each have a base which is connected by means of an integral hinge. The base is removably fastened to a supporting surface by means of a pressure sensitive pad. The two end sections cooperate to hold a display sign locked securely between the end sections. The entire display can be readily disassembled simply by removing an interconnecting wire clamp or the like from between the end sections.

A more specific aspect of the invention relates to a display of the above type in which the said end sections and their integrally formed bases are molded from plastic together with a hinge integrally formed between the end sections and their bases.

A more specific aspect of the present invention relates to a display device of the above type in which the end sections are formed as a triangular shape to thereby provide visibility from opposite sides of the display and which also'formparticularly rigid and strong plastic end sections. The plastic which is used in forming the above display device is of the flexible plastic type having properties, such as flexibility and resiliency that permit the hinges to be repeatedly flexed without breaking, wearing, or otherwise being damaged and have extremely long life without deterioration.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the display with the end sections being folded outwardly therefrom, the view being enlarged;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the display device in assembled position partially in section;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, cross sectional view taken through the base and body portion of an end section of the display; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the end section movedto a disassembled position in respect to its base section.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The display device includes a pair of identical end sections 1 which are fabricated from a polypropylene plastic and these end sections are of generally triangular shape and have a'generally vertical side 2 when in use. The vertical side is molded so as to be formed with a generally depressed or dish shape thereby contributing to its rigidity and strength. The end sections have inwardly turned flanges 3 along each of their two sides and also an inwardly turned lower flange 4, all of the flanges and the end section proper being formed as an integral member.

Also formed integrally along the lower flange is a base 5 which is generally co-extensive in length with the lower flange. The base is connected to the end section proper by means of a living hinge 6 which is 'formed integrally with and also made of polypropylene plastic, the entire end section, base and hinge being formed integrally by a single molding operation. It will be noted that the hinge is formed by having a recess'7 along the inner side of the base which results in the hinge being of a thinner cross section than the base member. An adhesive or pressure sensitive pad 10 is located along the lower side of the base and therefore the base can be detachably but securely fastened to the top of a supporting surface, such as the top of a gasoline pump P. A sign 14 of triangular shape, when viewed in cross section, is fabricated from cardboard or the like and has opposite sides 16 and 17 on which a written advertising message may be displayed. The

cross sectional shape of the sign is complementary to the plastic end sections and is inserted within the flanges of the end sections and securely held thereby.

To assemble and install the display device, the end sections are slipped over opposite ends of the triangular sign and held tightly thereagainst and the assembled display is then set down on top of the gasoline pump or the like, with the adhesive backed bases being firmly placed against the top of the pump.

Alternatively, the sign 14 maybe of clear plastic and an article to be displayed may be located therein and visible from two opposite sides.

A wire, spring like clamp 20 having depending legs 21 embraces the uppermost portion of the end sections and hold them tightly against the triangularly shaped sign, thereby holding the entire unit in assembled relationship.

In order to change or replace the signs, it is only necessary to lift the spring 20 from the sides, thereby permitting the sides to swing outwardly about their hinges, consequently freeing the sign for removal. It is unnecessary to remove the end sections from the pump in order to replace the sign.

I claim:

1. A display device which can be stored in a substantially flat package and which can be assembled into a three dimension configuration for display, said device including a pair of end sections each having an inwardly turned flange therearound, each of said sections also having a base swingably mounted along the lower side thereof, an integrally formed hinge between the base and its respective end section, said end sections, hinges and bases being molded integrally from plastic, adhesive means along the lower side of said bases for attachment of the display to a supporting surface, and a 3. The device as set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that said plastic is polypropylene.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1 further charac-- terized in that said releasable locking means comprises a spring like wire having legs which embrace said end sections. i 

1. A display device which can be stored in a substantially flat package and which can be assembled into a three dimension configuration for display, said device including a pair of end sections each having an inwardly turned flange therearound, each of said sections also having a base swingably mounted along the lower side thereof, an integrally formed hinge between the base and its respective end section, said end sections, hinges and bases being molded integrally from plastic, adhesive means along the lower side of said bases for attachment of the display to a supporting surface, and a sign located between said end sections and held captive by said flanges, and releasable locking means holding said end sections firmly against said sign to thereby hold the sign in assembled relationship.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 further characterized in that said hinges are defined as being recesses of semi-circular configuration whereby said hinges are of thinner, cross section than said base.
 3. The device as set forth in claim 2 further characterized in that said plastic is polypropylene.
 4. The device as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said releasable locking means comprises a spring like wire having legs which embrace said end sections. 